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ter Castle. You may call upon them to assist you in any way you see fiteither to aid you in rescuing my brother's and my son's sons or to aid you in revenging their deaths. Sir Fulk should be at Gloucester in a week's time, after you receive this letter, or perhaps it will be a few days later." |
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A few more compliments and effusions on the esteem in which John held Gwenwynwyn closed the letter. John sealed it with his own seal, and the second courier was dispatched with orders not to stop, night or day, until that letter was in Lord Gwenwynwyn's own hands and in his hands only. The messenger had the right to buy or commandeer horses wherever he needed them, but he was to be in Wales before this time on the next day. |
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That done, John leaned back and sighed with pleasure. Everything had come right. At the very worst, de Vipont would be dead, Alinor would be in Salisbury's care (and William would be bidden to bring her to court). John would keep his promise to de Vipont not to give her in marriagenot at first. When he was ready, she would be glad to marry anyone he suggested. William would have his son back, and Llewelyn's bastard would be in Gwenwynwyn's hands. That would give John a lever to move Llewelyn with, because Gwenwynwyn, although he might be able to take Clyro Keep with what men he had, would not be able to do much more unless de Bréauté and his men helped. Thus John could make Gwenwynwyn jump by threatening to withdraw the mercenaries, and Gwenwynwyn could make Llewelyn jump for the safety of his son. |
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And that was only the worst that could happen. Thinking of the best, John licked his lips as if he could taste his satisfaction. At the best, Gwenwynwyn would read correctly between the lines of the letter. That would ensure that Ian and his squires would all die. A very neat way to rid the world of two people of whom William was entirely too fondde Vipont and that damned bastard William was always brooding over. |
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